Tax rebate program money biggest of Missouri governor’s line-item vetoes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson used his line-item veto power to strike millions in federal relief fund spending from the state budget, including $500 million to pay for a tax rebate program.

Parson signed the multiple budget bills that make up the fiscal 2023 budget Thursday in private. Legislators had pegged the $500 million to pay for a tax credit that would refund taxpayers the amount they paid in on income taxes up to $500 apiece. Those making at least $150,000 individually or $300,000 jointly would not qualify.

The money came from funds divvied out to states under the American Rescue Plan Act, passed by Congress to provide relief during the coronavirus pandemic. Other vetoes of those funds include $83 million for a new Highway Patrol Law Enforcement Academy, $10 million for maintenance at charter schools and money for several local projects.

Parson said in his veto letter that he scratched the funding for the law enforcement academy because it wasn't enough to fund the project. In vetoing the tax rebate funds, Parson said the bill that established the fund didn't include a mechanism for it to pay out the money.

Parson vetoed about $644 million in 32 line-item vetoes from the $47.5 million budget, the governor’s office said in a news release.  

"With record revenues, strong economic performance, and significant sums of Missourians' federal tax dollars returning to our state, this session we met the moment and approved strategic investments that will serve generations of Missourians,"  Parson said in the release. 

The vetoes

Elementary and secondary education

• ($4,875,000) federal funds for the school turnaround program.

• ($2,000,000) federal funds for a science based educational software program.

Higher education

• ($4,000,000) one-time funding for a statewide math supplement program.

• ($2,300,000) for Missouri Southern State University for a statewide precision health and agricultural sciences program.

• ($400,000) one-time funding for the University of Missouri - School of Law - Family Violence and Criminal Prosecution Law Clinic.

• ($112,500) federal funds for the Institute of Urban Capitalism.

Department of Economic Development, Department of Commerce and Insurance, Department of Labor and Industrial relations

• ($300,000) Economic Development Advancement Fund for repairing the facades of businesses in low-income communities.

Department of Public Safety

• ($500,000) for a communications platform for first responders.

• ($500,000) Compulsive Gamblers Fund for a voluntary exclusion program for problem gamblers

Department of Corrections

• ($1,000,000) for a medication-assisted treatment program.

Department of Mental Health, Department of Health and Senior Services

• ($1,000,000) for an in-home pharmaceutical pilot project, including ($500,000) general revenue.

Statewide elected officials, the judiciary, State Public Defender, General Assembly

• ($152,481) and (one) staff for an additional associate circuit judge for the 11th judicial circuit.

American Rescue Plan Act

• ($500,000,000) for the transfer to the Tax Credit Offset Fund.

• ($83,000,000) federal funds for the planning, design and construction of a Highway Patrol Law Enforcement Academy.

• ($10,000,000) Lottery Proceeds Fund to address maintenance at charter schools through a grant program.

• ($7,500,000) federal stimulus funds to modify existing floodplain and floodway areas along the Jordan Creek in the city of Springfield.

• ($5,000,000) federal stimulus funds for maintenance and improvements to the Jefferson Avenue Footbridge in the city of Springfield.

• ($4,500,000) federal stimulus funds for sidewalks in the Affton School District.

• ($3,000,000) federal stimulus funds for sidewalks in the Hancock Place School District.

• ($3,000,000) federal stimulus funds for planning, design, maintenance, or construction at an airport in St. Charles County.

• ($2,800,000) federal funds for the development of a vacant commercial property in Dellwood.

• ($2,500,000) federal funds for the conversion of a vacant Hannibal hospital into privately-owned low-income senior housing.

• ($2,000,000) federal stimulus funds for the planning, design, maintenance, or construction of economic development corporations in Johnson County.

• ($1,000,000) federal stimulus funds for a summer camp for youth film makers.

• ($800,000) for animal abuse investigators to work with law enforcement.

• ($300,000) federal funds for repairs to the Jenkins Bridge in Barry County.

Source: Office of Administration